News for Restaurants in Hawaii October 2012 Archive

TASTE, billed as Hawaii's first "food venue," opened on October 27. The new eatery --- aimed at local food entrepreneurs --- is under the supervision of chef Mark Noguchi, who was most recently with Heeia Pier. Noguchi has partnered with Amanda Corby of UMU Hawaii and Poni and Brandon Askew of Street Grindz. TASTE features a combination of in-house special series meals created by Noguchi and pop-up meals created by guest chefs. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday with a fixed menu that changes each day. Pop-ups are currently planned with Lee Anne Wong of Cooking Channel's "Unique Eats," Miso & Ale, and Pig and the Lady. TASTE will also offer cooking classes, chef demos, tastings and more. TASTE, 667 Auahi St., Honolulu, HI 96813, no phone.

Popular Hawaii restaurant Eggs 'n Things is opening its third Hawaii location near Ala Moana Center this week. The grand opening is set for November 8. The restaurant, specializing in pancakes, omelets and crêpes, is famous for its large portions and equally long lines to get in. This new outpost is expected to make dining for local residents easier, since it is the first location outside of Waikiki with ample free parking. The menu will initially be similar to the Waikiki locations, although the owners plan to expand the menu selection. There is also a retail shop with buttermilk pancake mix, syrups, Waialua coffee, eco-bags, T-shirts and more. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Eggs ‘n Things, 451 Piikoi St., Honolulu, HI 96814, 808-538-3447.

A new restaurant, bar and banquet facility called 53 By The Sea has opened on the site of the former John Dominis restaurant. The original structure was retained, but redeveloped into a larger building designed to look like an Italian villa to accommodate wedding chapels and banquet rooms. Diners can expect an upscale menu created by chef Hiroshi Hayakawa, featuring southern Italian cuisine infused with Hawaii's regional ingredients --- especially seafood, to reflect its location fronting Kewalo Basin. For a more casual experience, the bar is open daily and has a good selection of wines and spirits selected by master sommelier Roberto Viernes, plus special handcrafted cocktails by bartender Tim Rita. Lunch & Dinner daily. 53 By The Sea, 53 Ahui St., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-536-5353.

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Nobu Matsuhisa to Open Restaurant on LanaiChef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa is planning to open a restaurant on the island of Lanai, in one of the two Four Seasons Resorts. No details are yet available on which location or its opening date. Matsuhisa currently has a Nobu restaurant in Waikiki.

Food & Wine Series at Makena Beach & Golf Resort The Makena Beach & Golf Resort kicks off its monthly food and wine education series by exploring the pairing of poke (Hawaiian for "to cut in pieces") and Sauvignon Blanc from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 11 at the resort's Molokini Bar & Grille. The event showcases executive chef Marc McDowell's poke creations, featuring a trio of ingredients such as fresh caught ahi, shrimp and beef, each prepared to deliver distinctive flavors to complement a trio of wines chosen by Hawaii resident master sommelier Patrick Okubo. Wines will include Craggy Range, Michelle Redd and Matanzas Creek. Cost of the tasting is $35 per person, not including tax or gratuity. For reservations or information on this or other events in the food and wine education series, call 808-875-5888 or visit www.makenaresortmaui.com. Upcoming dates for the series include November 8 and December 20. Molokini Bar & Grille, Makena Beach & Golf Resort, 5400 Makena Alanui Rd., Wailea-Makena, HI 96763, 808-875-5888.

After five years at the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM), Ed Kenney's Downtown @ the Hisam closed on September 15. Kenney, who also owns Town restaurant in Kaimuki, will put his catering operations on hold until he finds a new location --- preferably in the downtown area to cater to the business crowd. Although Downtown @ the Hisam was popular, Kenney's reason for closing is due to an impasse in lease negotiations with the HiSAM on a favorable, second five-year lease. Downtown @ the Hisam, Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813, no phone.